Need some advice.

[cory land]

I'm currently looking at purchasing a cheap airplane to build hour in. I am wondering if I purchase a Cessna 150 with just the basic instuments in it, if I will be able to get it IFR certified so that I may take my IFR training in it?

 

[cfijames]

You could, Im sure. But how many hours are you looking to build? It might be just as well to go rent an airplane you the instrument rating. I dont know what your goals are, but theres only so much practial experience you can gain with a 150. There really is a lot to be said about renting. If youre looking for cheap, thats fine, who isnt, but you can rent a cheap plane without all of the hassle and unknown expenses of owning an aircraft. Good luck either way, the instrument is a challenge but is also a lot of fun!

 

[nwa400]

I'm currently looking at purchasing a cheap airplane to build hour in. I am wondering if I purchase a Cessna 150 with just the basic instuments in it, if I will be able to get it IFR certified so that I may take my IFR training in it?

Just buy a computer and learn all there is to know about computers. Gain knowledge that will make you a millionair. Do not get hooked on airplanes. You will regret it! Aviation sounds SWEET but if you were on the inside you would see that all NEWBIES are headed for disappointment and a long HARD career with no bucks! I was 5 when I knew I wanted to fly airplanes and my dreams have been shattered ie. very low wages, many days gone from home, 17 out of 20 years gone for christmas, no pension, etc,etc,etc! Be wise...choose not to fly for a living.

 

[LGBflyer]

Just buy a computer and learn all there is to know about computers. Gain knowledge that will make you a millionair. Do not get hooked on airplanes. You will regret it! Aviation sounds SWEET but if you were on the inside you would see that all NEWBIES are headed for disappointment and a long HARD career with no bucks! I was 5 when I knew I wanted to fly airplanes and my dreams have been shattered ie. very low wages, many days gone from home, 17 out of 20 years gone for christmas, no pension, etc,etc,etc! Be wise...choose not to fly for a living.

wow, good way to be optimistic and encourge him

 

[nwa400]

wow, good way to be optimistic and encourge him

LGBflyer,

I asked my son a few years ago if he would like to be a pilot. His words to me were "Dad, I would not do that to my son!" You go ahead and give these bright young minds a false hope. I wont. There are major airline and regional pilots leaving the airline life every day. It is not what these young kids think it is. It is definately not what AIRINC says it is. Oh sure there are jobs but they are regional and pay 13k a year and 8 years to upgrade. SICK! I talked to a regional capt. that was flying 100 hours a month as a crj capt. and I told him what my son said. He quit and is glad he did. He could not have his kids feel as my son feels. It breaks my heart. Yep, livin' the dream! NOT! LGBflyer, either you are new to aviation or you are out to lunch on this career being a good one. Majors: most have taken over 40% pay cuts with much more in work rules. Regionals: they are in negotiations as I write ie Mesaba wants to pay co-pilots 13k a year. Many are just going to do something else. Lets see, 100hrs a month, gone 22 days and nights a month. Never home on holidays, birthdays ballgames, plays, anything special for family etc. etc. etc. ......Great job? I suggested that he buy a computer and go into computers. That is good advice. MBA even better. Telling this bright young man or woman to go into aviation......VERY POOR advice.
Good luck young man or woman. You can do much better than AVIATION!!!!

 

[nugget81]

People fly because they love to do so, not because they get paid great money or have great hours (like bankers). Don't squash someone else's dreams just because your's were. Besides, he never said he was making a career of aviation.

Back to the topic: I would not purchase an airplane for IFR training unless you really have the money to do so. If you do your research and find a good flight school, they will have much better aircraft with newer avionics. That being said, good luck with the instrument rating!

 

[nwa400]

People fly because they love to do so, not because they get paid great money or have great hours (like bankers). Don't squash someone else's dreams just because your's were. Besides, he never said he was making a career of aviation.

Back to the topic: I would not purchase an airplane for IFR training unless you really have the money to do so. If you do your research and find a good flight school, they will have much better aircraft with newer avionics. That being said, good luck with the instrument rating!

You are right. My bad. He did not say that he was going to make a career out of it. I appologize for fearing he was and giving career advice.
"People fly because they love to do so", Well, I sure wish that loving flying paid the bills for the 10000 professional pilots out of work.
Squashing dreams, I dont think so. Only giving the truth. Yep, my dreams were squashed and I dont want some fine young people to believe that aviation is a good career because it is not. Just ask anyone on the line today and if they say it is a good career.....they are probably out of their minds.

 

[Spartan24]

You are right. My bad. He did not say that he was going to make a career out of it. I appologize for fearing he was and giving career advice.
"People fly because they love to do so", Well, I sure wish that loving flying paid the bills for the 10000 professional pilots out of work.
Squashing dreams, I dont think so. Only giving the truth. Yep, my dreams were squashed and I dont want some fine young people to believe that aviation is a good career because it is not. Just ask anyone on the line today and if they say it is a good career.....they are probably out of their minds.

I know people in the business and their opinions are 100% opposite of yours. I think you screwed up along the way. Obviously, you got into aviation for the wrong reasons.

 

[vortilon-x]

Hi,
Like the second poster said, there are probably not many reasons to own an aircaft. You get away with a lot less hassles if you rent.
Althogh some of the statements above were a bit harsh regarding a career in aviation, there is some truth to it. But if you like meeting people, like 'beeing on the road', enjoy the technical aspects of flying and if you don't mind working weird hours at a low pay, then go for it. You might also be lucky and get a few bucks more if you're hired by a bigger airline.
Here is a good document what it takes to become a pilot. Hope it helps.
http://flitework.com/download/downloads/downloads.html
Go to 'The pilot job'

Best of luck.